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  • © 2015

Astrophysics Is Easy!

An Introduction for the Amateur Astronomer

Authors:

  • Using nothing more than arithmetic and simple examples, the workings of the universe are explained in a straightforward, yet detailed and coherent manner
  • Covers ALL aspects and areas of astrophysics, from our own solar system to the edge of the universe without going into complicated math
  • Features new and expanded chapters on Planetary Science, Exoplanets, Active Galaxies and Cosmology with current ideas and the latest research results
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series (PATRICKMOORE)

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
  2. Tools of the Trade

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 1-31
  3. The Solar System

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 33-56
  4. Spectroscopy and the Spectral Sequence

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 57-76
  5. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 77-84
  6. The Interstellar Medium and Protostars

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 85-107
  7. Star Birth

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 109-121
  8. Galactic Clusters and Stellar Associations

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 123-137
  9. The Sun, Our Nearest Star

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 139-146
  10. Binary Stars and Stellar Mass

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 147-153
  11. Life on the Main Sequence

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 155-181
  12. Star Death: White Dwarfs & Planetary Nebulae

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 183-201
  13. Exoplanets

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 225-238
  14. Galaxies

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 239-258
  15. Active Galaxies

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 259-270
  16. Cosmology

    • Michael Inglis
    Pages 271-291
  17. Back Matter

    Pages 293-302

About this book

Astrophysics is often –with some justification – regarded as incomprehensible without the use of higher mathematics. Consequently, many amateur astronomers miss out on some of the most fascinating aspects of the subject. Astrophysics Is Easy! cuts through the difficult mathematics and explains the basics of astrophysics in accessible terms. Using nothing more than plain arithmetic and simple examples, the workings of the universe are outlined in a straightforward yet detailed and easy-to-grasp manner.

 

The original edition of the book was written over eight years ago, and in that time, advances in observational astronomy have led to new and significant changes to the theories of astrophysics. The new theories will be reflected in both the new and expanded chapters.

 

A unique aspect of this book is that, for each topic under discussion, an observing list is included so that observers can actually see for themselves the concepts presented –stars of the spectral sequence, nebulae, galaxies, even black holes. The observing list has been revised and brought up-to-date in the Second Edition.

Reviews

“It covers 16 topics from planetary astronomy to galactic nuclei. Each is presented in a self-contained chapter that introduces the phenomenology and the physics behind it and an observation list so readers with access to a telescope can locate and view objects in the category. … Undergraduate physics students will find it a useful reference on astronomical topics. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division and upper-division undergraduates; general readers.” (A. Spero, Choice, Vol. 52 (11), July, 2015)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Long Island, USA

    Michael Inglis

About the author

Dr Mike Inglis was born in Wales in the UK, but lives and works in the USA, where he is Professor of Astrophysics at Suffolk County Community College, State University of New York. His qualifications include a BSc Physics, MSc in Astronomy & Astronautics, and a PhD in Astrophysics. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, NASA’s Solar System Ambassador, a Member of the American Astronomical Society, a Member of the UK Planetary Forum, a Member of the International Astronomical Union, a Member of the Association for Astronomy in Education, and a Member of the Society of Popular Astronomy. He is the author of many books and papers including Field Guide to Deep Sky Objects, (Springer), An Observer’s Guide to Stellar Evolution, (Springer), Astronomy of the Milky Way, Vols I & II, (Springer) and Observer’s Guide to Star Clusters (Springer, currently in production). He is the Series Editor of Springer’s Practical Astronomy Observing Guides.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 34.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access